SOTVO "the submarine is the most important stealth weapon, carrying out some of the most important missions to preserve our national security." OUR TOP STORY -- VICE PRESIDENT JOE BIDEN'S VISIT TO PORTSMOUTH NAVAL SHIPYARD. TRANS HE HIGHLIGHTED THE SHIPYARD'S 2- HUNDRED YEAR HISTORY AND ITS ROLE IN KEEPING OUR COUNTRY SECURE. HE ALSO VOICED STRONG OPINIONS ON WHAT HAPPENS WHEN THAT SECURITY IS VIOLATED. WMTW NEWS 8'S KYLE JONES HAS OUR TOP STORY. A RESOUNDING MESSAGE TODAY FROM VICE PRESIDENT JOE BIDEN. 3:32 "the american people are so much stronger so much more resolved than any enemy can fully understand. 3:43 HE SPOKE CANDIDLY TO A PACKED ROOM AT THE PORTSMOUTH NAVAL SHIPYARD, AFTER TOURING THE AREA WITH COMMAND OFFICIALS AND UNION LEADERS. HE PRAISED THE WORKERS WHO WERE ABLE TO CREATE STEALTH SUBMARINES THAT HELP PROTECT OUR COUNTRY. 0556 you've not only built the local economy, and grown the infrastructure, but you've kept the most highly skilled workforce in the world here in maine and new hampshire. 07 IT'S A MODEL HE SAYS NEEDS TO BE REPLICATED NATIONWIDE, GROWING THE COUNTRY'S NEXT GENERATION OF STEM WORKFORCE PROFESSIONALS -- AND UNION LEADERS AGREE. 3123 It's critical to our future to compete in the global market, and it's critical for the advancement of technology. 31 AND THE VICE PRESIDENT SAYS THE PROGRESS IS JUST AS IMPORTANT FOR THOSE CURRENTLY IN THE WORKFORCE. 0523 "you're the backbone of this economy. You put people on the pathway to middle class." 32 IT'S A ROAD MARKED WITH SUCCESS FOR THE SHIPYARD, INCLUDING FINISHING THE U-S-S TOPEKA IN APRIL THREE WEEKS AHEAD OF SCHEDULE -- UNDER THE DECLARATION OF EXCELLENCE AGREEMENT. THEY'RE RESULTS SOME HOPE STRENGTHEN PORTSMOUTH'S FUTURE. 3356 "we've invested a lot in this facility. Its critical to our naval future, our national security, and having him here helps seal that deal. 04 Kyle Jones, WMTW News 8